The power of volunteers

More than 350 kilometres separate a mother and daughter but they both support a common goal in their own communities. Julia Webber. who currently lives in Vancouver. and her mother Margaret. who lives in Kamloops. B.C., are both making a difference in their communities by volunteering for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. These two amazing women are determined to help create a future without breast cancer – wherever they are.

Breast cancer has been a constant in the Webber family for more than a decade. The family first joined as participants of the CIBC Run for the Cure in Calgary in 2000, in support of a family member, Heather Webber, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid thrties.

“The diagnosis of such a fit, healthy, vibrant and young person was shocking to me as someone with no prior experience with breast cancer,” says Julia. “Two years after we found out about Heather, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. It felt like the bottom of the world fell out. The fear and confusion and onslaught of new medical terms were overwhelming.”

In the midst of all the emotions and jargon, the Webber family was surrounded by touching displays of love and support from friends, family, colleagues and the school community where Margaret was a teacher. “Seeing my mom’s strength in facing cancer, combined with experiencing how admired and loved she was by her community, truly made me realize how incredible a person my mother is.”

In the 10 years since Margaret’s diagnosis, two of Julia’s aunts have also been affected by breast cancer. After moving to Vancouver in 2004, Julia wanted to continue taking part in the event while her family maintained the tradition in Calgary. It was when Heather passed away in 2010 that Julia was motivated to do more than just captain a fundraising team. A role model for Julia, Heather was a volunteer co-Run director for two years in Calgary, and it was Heather’s enthusiasm for volunteering that encouraged Julia to get more involved with the Foundation. Today, Julia is the volunteer team fundraising co-ordinator for the CIBC Run for the Cure in Vancouver and works with more than 444 team captains, supporting their fundraising efforts.

“Over the years, it has become increasingly clear to me that I want to do what I can to help make breast cancer less threatening and fear-inducing,” says Julia. And this passion and dedication to support the cause is what motivated Margaret to join the Run committee in Kamloops, where she has retired from her career as an educator while her husband has taken on a deanship at Thompson Rivers University. “I’m so very proud to say my mom has taken on the huge and rewarding task of being co-Run director for the Kamloops Run site.”

Volunteering continues to be a rewarding experience for both Margaret and Julia. Whether they are in Vancouver or Kamloops, the two will continue to share the common hope that breast cancer can be manageable and treatable disease in the future. ​